A £4m Highlands port project which would result in the transfer of large amounts of timber road freight onto the sea has suffered a setback.
The EC has now requested more information on the scheme to upgrade the harbour and freight handling facilities at Corpach, near Fort William, because the amount of state grant funding needed to finance the development has increased from 50% to 85% of the total cost.
It will look at whether an 85% state contribution breaches EU state subsidy guidelines and is necessary for improving the port.
The project is planned by ClydeBoyd, a joint venture between Clydeport and the transport firm Boyd Brothers. It would allow the Corpach pier to handle ships of 6,000 tonnes, allowing an estimated 60,000-80,000 tonnes of forest products to be transported annually by sea instead of road.
A spoksman for the scheme said: “We want to get on with the project but at the moment we are being hindered by not getting a positive decision.”
